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Great Egret
Ardea alba
42.5273, -83.6721
Field Notes
Description:
The elegant Great Egret is a tall, white wading bird found on every continent except Antarctica. The Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society, one of the nation's oldest conservation organizations, which was first established to protect birds from feather hunters.
Tall and slender, the Great Egret is pure white in color, with a yellow, spear-like bill, a long neck, and long black legs. Measuring three feet in height and 1.9 pounds, with a four-foot wingspan, it is one of the largest members of the heron family, second in size only to the Great Blue Heron. During breeding season, the birds grow spectacular plumes, which are raised like fans during courtship displays. There is no pronounced difference between the sexes.
(Courtesy of National Audubon Society)
Habitat:
The Great Egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with colder winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest.
The Great Egret is generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range. In North America, large numbers of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern Canada. However, in some parts of the southern United States, its numbers have declined due to habitat loss. Nevertheless, it adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas. In 1953 the Great Egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was formed in part to prevent the killing of birds for their feathers.
(Courtesy of Wikipedia)
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